The Saudi Arabia Fashion Commission (FC) and the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) have established a new partnership to promote innovation and sustainability in the Saudi fashion industry. This association is motivated by the FC’s strategic goals of teaching local designers, strengthening the fashion ecosystem, and protecting cultural heritage.
The cornerstone of this partnership is the exhibition, “Sustainable Style: A Journey into Japanese Textile Mastery,” held at FCR in Riyadh from February 18th to 20th, 2025. The exhibition showcases the exceptional quality and artistry of Japanese textiles, with a pronounced emphasis on eco-friendly production methods. This initiative aligns with the FC’s core strategic pillars: educating local designers, enhancing the fashion ecosystem, and preserving cultural heritage.
Burak Cakmak, CEO of the FC said “This collaboration reinforces the Fashion Commission’s commitment to empowering local designers, strengthening the fashion ecosystem, and integrating cultural heritage with sustainability.” Shiro Akiyama, Managing Director at the JETRO Riyadh Office has also commented “Through our collaboration with the Saudi Fashion Commission, JETRO is excited to renew and strengthen the long-standing trade ties between Japan and Saudi Arabia, fostering new opportunities for mutual development in the fashion and textile industries.”
In addition to encouraging the fusion of ancient methods with modern design advancements, the event will honor the rich cultural traditions of both Saudi and Japanese textile arts, encouraging a new generation of designers to investigate the connection between tradition and technology. This effort is a big step in building a vibrant and connected Saudi fashion community that will enable designers to shape Saudi fashion’s future by producing creative, culturally relevant, sustainable designs.
This partnership demonstrates the FC and JETRO’s shared dedication to fostering global alliances and fostering the ongoing expansion of the Saudi fashion industry. It is expected that the event will lead to many more collaborations, greatly increase awareness of the range and quality of Japanese textiles available in the Saudi market, and deepen local businesses’ and consumers’ understanding of the Japanese fashion industry.
